Members of the project team were informed by email that NHS Tayside was reviewing its planned capital developments in view of financial uncertainties.

The project had been due to be completed in November and planning permission has been granted by Angus Council for the removal of the portacabins behind Montrose Royal Infirmary for the construction of the new unit.

When it received the permission in December, the health board said it had not made a final decision on where the new unit would be, although the site behind the infirmary was the preferred option.

Montrose midwifery team leader Phyllis Winters and user representative Avril Nicoll were both informed by email.

Mrs Nicoll said: "It has been clear from reports on the news over the past few months that NHS officials were going to be faced with difficult and unpopular decisions.

"However, having been reassured repeatedly before Christmas that the project was going ahead, and with the last team meeting less than two weeks ago, we had finally begun to believe it would happen. With only 10 months to go, plans were also underway to fundraise for and mark the opening.

"This news is hugely disappointing but our priority must be to safeguard the award-winning service at the existing unit. As a start, we have asked for an immediate reconvening of the Angus Maternity Services Liaison Committee to take this forward."

Messages have been left on the Facebook page of the maternity unit, describing the news as "rubbish" and "awful" with one woman saying it has left her "furious".

Peter Cabrelli, who has been part of the fundraising team for the unit for the past three years, said he is in shock and is devastated for the midwives.

Mr Cabrelli said: "They promised it, plans have been up on the walls and all of a sudden, there was a quick email about 5pm and that was the end of it.

"It's ridiculous – absolutely pathetic. I just feel for the midwives."
In the email to members of the project team, NHS Tayside said it was "exploring a number of scenarios including the potential of using alternative funding solutions" and "a further review of the plan is ongoing and if funds become available or planning assumptions change, this project will be revisited".

The news of the project's suspension has also changed the plans of the new Maternity Users Montrose (MUMs) group.

The recently-formed committee held a meeting two weeks ago where they discussed raising money for a garden outside the new unit.
Vice-chair of the MUMs group, Irene Hughes, said she was shocked at the news and felt sorry for the midwives.

Mrs Hughes said: "We will now be speaking to the midwives to see how we can fundraise for the current unit.

"We need to liaise closely and drive forward. I've spoken to the chairwoman and treasurer of our group and we're all just shocked – it's come out of the blue. We just need now to regroup and refocus."
The next meeting of the group is in the Picture House, Hume Street, on Tuesday, February 2, at 7.30pm.

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: "We have suspended planned capital developments and are currently reviewing all projects which require capital resources until we receive clarity from Government around our future Capital Allocation.

"Given the current uncertainty surrounding future funding we feel this is the most sensible approach at this time."

Any recent service user who would be interested in joining the Maternity Services Liaison Committee should contact Phyllis Winters on 01674 832175.